Used Auto Warranty Does Not Mean Carefree Ownership

There are a lot of preconceptions out there about the used auto warranty industry and extended warranties in general, but one of the most damaging - for both you and your car - is the idea that, once covered by an extended warranty, you can relax, and you won't have to focus on car care and continued maintenance. Hey, if something breaks, the extended warranty will cover it.

This sort of thinking has two major flaws to it. One, every car needs general maintenance to perform at its best. Frequent oil changes, tire rotations and fluid top ups can be an expensive hassle, yes. And while the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule might seem excessive, or like an attempt to draw in more business by advising more servicing than is actually needed, it is neither of those things. The maintenance that the auto maker suggests is based on in-depth knowledge of their cars, and what is required to keep them running at peak condition. Skipping or skimping on these services can leave you with an under performing car at best and a broken one at worst.

But if it breaks, the warranty will cover it, right? Don't be so sure. Many extended warranties have clauses that require a certain level of car maintenance in order to remain eligible for replacements and repair work. A car that is improperly cared for may suddenly cost its owner thousands of dollars, when the warranty company denies a claim due to neglect. And once a warranty company finds out that you haven't been properly maintaining your car, it will be practically impossible to get a repair claim reimbursed, unless the cause of the problem is very obviously not related to the shabby maintenance performed by its owner. But you might be surprised at how many problems in a car can be directly or indirectly tied to a lack of proper maintenance. And if that is the case, you may find that the burden of proving otherwise falls to you. And the warranty provider is probably not like going to be all that keen to listen to an appeal.

The best way to avoid this problem is to keep your car in good shape by following the guidelines for its regularly scheduled maintenance. A used auto warranty will help you to keep your car in the best possible condition for years to come - but only if you do your part and keep up the maintenance.